How to Play Don’t Starve Together on Linux

Don’t Starve Together runs on Linux through its Steam version. Install Steam from a package supported by your distribution, sign in, open the game’s Steam listing, and install it to your Library. The game has a Linux build, so you can try the native version first; Proton is not a requirement for the standard setup. Klei lists Linux among the supported platforms and publishes Linux system requirements for the game.

Before you start, leave at least 3 GB of free disk space for the game, plus extra room for updates and saves. Klei’s published minimums list a 1.7 GHz processor, 1 GB of memory, a graphics card with at least 256 MB of dedicated memory, and broadband internet. Treat those as the developer’s posted baseline: Linux distributions, graphics drivers, and hosting a world can affect performance.

1. Install Steam on your Linux distribution

Use the Software Center or package manager provided by your Linux distribution and search for Steam. If it is not listed, open Valve’s official Steam download page and follow the Linux installation option available for your system. Package names and setup steps differ across distributions, so use your distribution’s current documentation instead of copying commands written for another release.

On Arch Linux, Steam is packaged in the multilib repository; follow the current Arch Linux Steam installation guide if you need to enable it. On other systems, check that your distribution’s supported graphics drivers and any required 32-bit libraries are installed. Avoid downloading Steam installers from third-party download sites.

2. Sign in and find the correct game

Launch Steam and sign in to the account you plan to use. The first start may download client updates. Open the Store tab and search for Don’t Starve Together. Select the result with that exact title; it has its own Steam listing, separate from the original Don’t Starve game.

Check that the listing identifies SteamOS + Linux in its system requirements. If your account does not own the game, use the purchase option shown in the store and complete checkout. Pricing and availability depend on your Steam region, so check the live listing rather than relying on an old price. The game is described by Klei as a standalone multiplayer expansion: you do not need to install the original Don’t Starve game to launch Together.

3. Install the game from your Steam Library

After the game is added to your account, open Library and select Don’t Starve Together. Click Install, choose a Steam library location with enough free space, review the download settings, and confirm. Steam will download the Linux files and show a progress indicator. Wait until the installation finishes and the button changes to Play.

Because the Steam listing includes Linux system requirements, start with Steam’s default compatibility setting. You generally do not need to force a Windows compatibility tool such as Proton for the Linux build. If the game fails to start, try the troubleshooting steps below before changing compatibility settings.

4. Launch a world or join a multiplayer game

Click Play in the Library and wait for the game’s main menu. Choose Host Game to create a world, pick a save slot, and set the server options that fit your group. Choose Browse Games to look for an available online server. The available filters and privacy options can vary with the game version and platform. Keep Steam online and make sure everyone has updated the game before joining.

If you are hosting, allow extra performance headroom: Klei says a host should exceed the published minimum system requirements, while clients can join when their systems meet them. A world with caves can also require more from the host because it runs additional server processes.

If Don’t Starve Together will not launch on Linux

• Restart Steam and the computer, then confirm that the game has finished updating.
• Verify the installation: in Steam Library, right-click Don’t Starve Together, choose Properties, open Installed Files, and select Verify integrity of game files.
• Update graphics drivers through your distribution’s supported method or your GPU vendor’s official support site. Klei specifically recommends checking drivers and confirming that the Linux distribution is compatible.
• Disable mods temporarily if the game crashes, displays missing content, or cannot join a server. Mod versions can conflict with the current game build.
• For connection trouble, check that Steam is online, the game is current, and your network is stable. If a server is missing, confirm that you and your friends are looking for the same type of server and that the host’s privacy settings allow you to join.

For detailed Linux-specific steps, use Klei’s Don’t Starve Together troubleshooting guide. For hardware details, see Klei’s system requirements and the current Steam listing.